SQL Server Database Mirroring offers two methods for exchanging data: synchronously and asynchronously. Sometimes there may be a need to switch between modes for an existing mirror and in this tip we will look at how this can be done.
2015-08-03
3,376 reads
Building (or rebuilding) a Columnstore index can be a resource intensive operation. In this article, Denzil Ribeiro describes the index rebuild process and index maintenance for clustered Columnstore indexes in SQL 2014.
2015-07-31
2,990 reads
Tim Smith looks at what to take into consideration before building a design to archive old data in SQL Server databases.
2015-07-30
2,895 reads
One of the more confusing statistics in Oracle is one called the clustering factor. Associated with an index, it's actually dependent on the table data, more specifically the distance between 'jumps' for a given index key. Commonly, a 'jump' is the number of blocks between rows containing the given index key starting with the first block found containing that key. If that sounds confusing don't despair, David Fitzjarrell explains in detail.
2015-07-29
3,764 reads
MSDB is a system database used by SQL Server. MSDB stores all sorts of data, such as backup history, log shipping monitor history, SSIS packages and Service Broker queue data to name a few. Just like user databases, MSDB needs regular maintenance, including index optimizations and, more importantly, regular purging. In this article, Tim Radney looks at how neglecting your MSDB can negatively impact on your environment.
2015-07-28
6,714 reads
Code must be checked, but how? Phil Factor shares his thoughts on automating SQL code reviews.
2015-07-27
5,104 reads
A short explanation and infographic of what SQL is. For the non-SQL people in your life.
2015-07-24
8,743 reads
Although we like to think that our programming techniques are progressive and in tune with the bleeding edge of software development practices, too often they are directly influenced by restrictions faced when computers first became mainstream in the post-war decades. In this article Joe Celko looks at the history of mainframes, FORTRAN I and COBOL.
2015-07-24
5,006 reads
Database Lifecycle Management (DLM) is about enabling rapid, risk-free database development and deployments. However, the most effective DLM processes actually reach beyond the database. Embracing the full scope of it can be daunting, so Grant Fritchey and Matthew Skelton are making it manageable.
2015-07-23 (first published: 2015-07-20)
4,591 reads
For a large SQL Server database on an Azure VM, backing up the data can have some challenges. In this article, Murshed Zaman focuses on the two most common challenges: size and speed.
2015-07-23
5,556 reads
By Brian Kelley
During COVID, I attended training on software/enterprise architecture given by Mark Richards. One of...
For me, the objective is straightforward: have a backup strategy that is reliable, understandable,...
By DesertDBA
Note: This post is the invitation for T-SQL Tuesday #204 on November 3rd, 2026....
Comments posted to this topic are about the item The ##MS_DatabaseConnector## User
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Planning for Change
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Importing Excel files into SQL...
On SQL Server 2025, I run this code as a sysadmin:
CREATE LOGIN Demo WITH PASSWORD = 'Demo1234567' GO ALTER SERVER ROLE ##MS_DatabaseConnector## ADD MEMBER Demo GOI then login as Demo and run this:
USE sandbox go SELECT CURRENT_USERWhat is returned? See possible answers